Marco Rubio for U.S. Senate: Charlie Crist’s Bad Week
Miami, FL – Charlie Crist’s week has gone from bad to worse. It started on Monday when Rudy Giuliani endorsed Marco Rubio and only one journalist was talking about Charlie Crist running as an independent. It continued to Wednesday when Marco released his fundraising figures and every journalist was talking about Charlie running as an independent. And it ends today with Charlie Crist releasing his own fundraising numbers at 5 p.m.
MONDAY: Crist Campaign Offers No Comment On Rudy Giuliani Endorsement Of Marco…
On Monday, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani endorsed Marco and the Crist campaign offered no comment but did cancel their own event:
• Mayor Giuliani Endorsed Marco “Before A Standing-Room-Only Crowd Of Hundreds” In Miami. “Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has endorsed Marco Rubio in the race for Florida’s open Senate seat. The former Florida house speaker picked up Giuliani’s backing in a campaign stop Monday before a standing-room-only crowd of hundreds at a banquet hall in Miami.” (Matt Sedensky, “Giuliani Endorses Rubio In Miami Campaign Stop,” The Associated Press, 4/5/10)
• Crist Campagn “Did Not Immediately Respond To Calls Seeking Comment.” “A spokeswoman for Crist did not immediately respond to calls seeking comment. Crist appeared to be the early front-runner, but Rubio has pulled ahead in the polls in recent months. Kendrick Meek is the early favorite for the Democrats before the August primary.” (Matt Sedensky, “Giuliani Endorses Rubio For Senate Seat In Fla.,” The Associated Press, 4/5/10)
On that same day, Stuart Rothenberg became the first journalist of the week to raise the prospect of Charlie Crist running as an independent:
• Rothenberg: “But Some Observers Won’t Be Convinced Until The Filing Deadline Passes At Noon On April 30.” “In less than a month, we will know whether Florida Gov. Charlie Crist is absolutely committed to running for the Senate this year as a Republican. Crist, of course, says the matter is closed – that he is in the GOP race to stay. But some observers won’t be convinced until the filing deadline passes at noon on April 30.” (Stuart Rothenberg, “Should Crist Roll The Dice To Save Long-Shot Senate Bid?” Congressional Quarterly, 4/5/10)
And Charlie Crist canceled an appearance in Jupiter.
• Palm Beach Post: “An Advertised Appearance By Gov. Charlie Crist At Tonight’s Republican Club Of The Palm Beaches Powwow In Jupiter Has Been Canceled.” “An advertised appearance by Gov. Charlie Crist at tonight’s Republican Club of the Palm Beaches powwow in Jupiter has been canceled. Crist’s U.S. Senate campaign cited a scheduling conflict. Republican congressional hopeful Allen West will instead be the featured speaker at the club’s regular monthly meeting tonight at 5:30 p.m. at the Abacoa Golf Club at 105 Barbados Drive in Jupiter. Admission is $10 for GOP club members, $15 for non-members.” (George Bennett, “Crist Scrubs Jupiter Appearance,” Palm Beach Post, 4/5/10)
TUESDAY: Rudy Giuliani Goes On National TV Media Tour For Marco…
On Tuesday, Rudy Giuliani went on a national TV media tour for Marco making stops on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends”, MSNBC’s “Morning Joe”, CNN’s “Situation Room” and Fox News’ “Hannity”:
• Mayor Giuliani: “Marco Is Exactly What Florida Needs.” MAYOR GIULIANI: “I take it very seriously that if you give your word in politics, you keep your word. Having said all that, I wouldn’t have gotten in this race unless I thought there was a really terrific candidate on the other side, who I think even if Charlie wasn’t in the race, I would be endorsing Marco. Marco is exactly what Florida needs. He’s someone who understands the need for fiscal conservatism. He’s someone that understands our position with regard to terrorism. And when I look at the both of them, I say who can I count on to stand against the Obama-Pelosi-Reid inexorable march towards social democracy? Can I count on Charlie who embraced Obama in word and deed, embraced the whole stimulus program, seems to be a very enthusiastic supporter of cap and trade? So can you trust him as a reliable Republican … reliable, sensible, conservative because he goes to the left.” (Fox News’ “Fox & Friends,” 4/6/10)
• Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuvvaRxBnH0
WEDNESDAY: Crist Leaves The Door Open To Running As An Independent On The Same Day That Marco Announces A “Huge Fundraising Quarter”…
On Wednesday, Marco announced raising more than $3.6 million for the first quarter of 2010. At the same time, Charlie Crist himself was leaving the door open to running as an independent. Check out the coverage below:
• The Hill: “Marco Rubio Had A Huge Fundraising Quarter.” “Marco Rubio had a huge fundraising quarter in the first three months of 2010, raising $3.6 million. Rubio’s total doesn’t quite match Gov. Charlie Crist’s (R) $4.3 million effort in the second quarter of 2009 – his first quarter of fundraising when he was the presumptive nominee – but it does serve notice that the formerly popular governor’s days of being the financially superior GOP candidate are long past.” (Aaron Blake, “Rubio’s Bombshell: $3.6 Million Raised,” The Hill, 4/7/10)
• Hotline: “Rubio’s Jaw-Dropping Figure.” “Rubio’s jaw-dropping figure likely puts him atop, or near the top, of the list of most successful candidates over the first quarter.” (Reid Wilson, “Rubio Fundraising Surges,” Hotline, 4/7/10)
• ABC Orlando: Today, Crist “Didn’t Rule Out” The Option Of Running As An Independent. ANCHOR: “Governor Charlie Crist doesn’t seem to be ruling out the possibility of running as an independent in this year’s Senate race. Crist has been asked before about switching parties in the Republican primary in August and he’s always said no way. However, today, he didn’t rule out that option. Crist’ poll numbers have been slipping over the past six months to his opponent, former House Speaker Marco Rubio.” (ABC-WFTV Orlando, 4/7/10)
• Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5PtHTSDoEQ
• CBS Fort Myers: “Crist Says He’s Not As Opposed To Running As An Independent As He Was Before.” ANCHOR: “Well, new at five, today Governor Charlie Crist says he’s not as opposed to running as an independent as he was before. In the past few weeks, the governor was asked about switching parties and he said no way. Today, he gave the question a little more credit saying he’s focused on the current legislative session and will think about it after lawmakers are wrapped up.” (CBS-WINK Fort Myers, 4/7/10)
• Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd9SWsX6wHg
• Fox News: “Today, Crist Refused To Rule Out A Run As An Independent.” FOX NEWS’ CHRIS WALLACE: “In America’s Election Headquarters, Florida Republican Senate hopeful Marco Rubio says he raised more than $3.6 million during the first quarter of this year. Rubio is leading Florida Governor Charlie Crist in the polls and today, Crist refused to rule out a run as an independent, despite a pledge he made on ‘Fox News Sunday’ just ten days ago to run in the Republican primary.” CRIST: “I’m focused on the session. I’m focused on these bills that are pending and coming up shortly. That’s where my focus is, there will be time for other things later.” (Fox News’ “Special Report,” 4/7/10)
• Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPoDD3wyVMY
• WPLG’s Michael Putney: “Charlie Crist Might Seriously Start Thinking About Running For The Senate As An Independent.” ANCHOR: “And new fundraising figures are out today for key political races and the news is not good for Governor Charlie Crist who’s running for Senate. Our senior political reporter Michael Putney’s been looking over these new figures. What do they show for Charlie Crist?” PUTNEY: “Laurie, they show that Charlie Crist is behind Rubio in raising money believe it or not. Not that long ago, Governor Crist was way ahead of Marco Rubio in the polls and in the amount of money raised. But now it’s completely the other way around. Here are the somewhat astounding new figures from the Rubio campaign. They took in $3.6 million in the last three months, impressive. He has gotten money from a total of 51,000 people, that’s a big donor base. The average contribution per supporter just under $100, and thus far, Marco Rubio has raised $1 million online – that is quite an achievement. So how is Governor Charlie Crist doing with his fundraising? Well, he’s not saying. His campaign had to turn in their fundraising figures at the same time as Rubio. But the Crist campaign says, ‘Hey, we’re not ready to release them yet’, which means they’re probably not very good. Rubio – the former Florida House Speaker from West Miami – now looks almost unstoppable in his bid to be the GOP Senate nominee and Charlie Crist might seriously start thinking about running for the Senate as an independent. Laurie, he has got until the end of April to make up his mind about that.” ANCHOR: “Oooh, that would make it interesting.” PUTNEY: “Would it not.” ANCHOR: “It’s interesting, Rubio’s incredible fundraising is even before big endorsements like Rudy Guiliani’s.” PUTNEY: “Right, this is over the last three months. He has done extremely well. He has really appealed to a core of strong supporters, and they are writing checks, and making email contributions.” ANCHOR: “Very conservative supporters.” PUTNEY: “For the most part, they are.” (ABC-WPLG Miami, 4/7/10)
• Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EB8EOx-KrtI
THURSDAY: Through His Campaign Manager, Crist Is Forced To Clarify That He Is Indeed Running In The Republican Primary On The Same Day Marco Announces A Four-Day Bus Tour:
On the same day that Marco announced a four-day bus tour, Charlie Crist was forced to clarify that he was truly running in the Republican primary after he left the door open to an independent run and his supporters urged him to abandon the Republican Party:
• St. Petersburg Times Reports On A “Surge In Speculation That Crist Is Positioning Himself To Drop Out Of The Republican Primary And Run Instead As An Independent.” “When Marco Rubio announced Wednesday that he raised a whopping $3.6 million over the past 90 days, it was another game-changer in the Republican U.S. Senate primary. This just a day after Gov. Charlie Crist bucked fellow Republicans and vetoed an elections bill he was expected to sign – and the same day he reversed course and hinted he might veto a teacher tenure bill favored by Jeb Bush and other Republican leaders. On top of that, Crist plans to call the Legislature into special session this summer to overhaul state ethics laws – an issue Republican leadership has avoided this year. It all fed a surge in speculation that Crist is positioning himself to drop out of the Republican primary and run instead as an independent.” (Adam C. Smith, “As Rubio Gains, Crist Shifts,” St. Petersburg Times, 4/8/10)
• Prominent Charlie Crist Supporter Urges His Candidate To Run As An Independent. “Count Orlando trial lawyer John Morgan, a strong Charlie Crist supporter, among those urging the governor to drop out of the GOP U.S. Senate primary and run as an independent candidate. ‘If I was advising his campaign that’s what I would tell him to do. He hasn’t asked me about that, but I have suggested it to him,’ said Morgan. ‘We’ve seen the model with Joe Lieberman in Connecticut. We saw that’s possible. There’s probably a good amount of Republicans that would vote for him, a good amount of independents, and a good amount of Democrats. The problem is the window is rapidly closing.’” (Adam Smith, “Prominent Charlie Crist Backer Urging Indie Run,” St. Petersburg Times, 4/8/10)
• Crist Campaign Manager Says Charlie Crist Is Running As A Republican A Day After “Crist Appeared To Leave The Door Open To Running As An Independent.” “A stray remark from Gov. Charlie Crist and the strong fundraising numbers by former House Speaker Marco Rubio sparked more speculation over the last 24 hours or so that the governor might bolt and run for U.S. Senate as a independent, and now Crist’s camp is trying to kill the idea. … Yesterday, Crist appeared to leave the door open to running as an independent. Rubio’s campaign, which has tried to paint Crist as a less-than-true-blue Republican, pounced. So Crist’s campaign manager Eric Eikenberg put out a statement today saying that will not be the case.” (Brandon Larrabee, “Crist Camp: For The Last Time, He’s Running As A Republican,” Florida Times-Union, 4/8/10)
FRIDAY: Charlie Crist Announces His Fundraising Figures…
On Friday, Charlie Crist announced his $1.1 million fundraising figure at 5 p.m. Check out the coverage below:
• Tampa Tribune: Crist’s Campaign Announced It Raised “Less Than A Third Of The $3.6 Million Total His Opponent, Marco Rubio, Has Announced For The First Quarter.” “Gov. Charlie Crist’s U.S. Senate campaign has announced it raised $1.1 million in the first three months of the year, less than a third of the $3.6 million total his opponent, Marco Rubio, has announced for the first quarter.” (William March, “Crist’s Fundraising Totals Less Than A Third Of Rubio’s For First Quarter,” The Tampa Tribune, 4/9/10)
CONTACT: Alex Burgos (305) 389-3594
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